The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, left thumb, posterior trunk (back), and neck were granted a 20 percent rating from February 1, 2012, to February 16, 2019. From February 17, 2019, the Veteran was denied a higher rating for these conditions. The Veteran's neck scar with characteristic of disfigurement received a 10 percent initial rating from February 1, 2012, to February 16, 2019 and was denied a higher rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected painful scars were found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation based on multiple painful or unstable scars.
- Claimed conditions
- Painful scars, Neck scar with characteristic of disfigurement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19181353
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 399 · Granted: 41% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19181353.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted separate ratings for the Veteran's left knee pain and limited flexion, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection of disfiguring and painful scars. The decision also denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for five painful scars and a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 25, 2020. Other claims were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for several conditions, granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date of August 10, 2023, for the left elbow impairment of supination and pronation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service connection claims for hypertension and a right hip condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran should be provided with VA medical opinions to address the etiology of his right hip condition and hypertension.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.